Maury Baker Jam-Famous Mockingbird Lounge

Songs

Let's Work Together

For What Its Worth

Spoonful

With

Phil Koening-Lead guitar

Freddy Jones-Harmonica

Joe Hilgendorf-Bass 

Craig Erickson-Lead guitar on Spoonful

Maury Baker-Drums
http://www.headhunterssticksandcreations.com/team-details/maury-baker/

Jim Jacobmeyer: Host and provider of the photos taken from the jam 

Patrick Lower: Sound guy 

(Maury Baker and Phil Koening)

In the two and half years of returning back to play I have been blown away by the amazing musicians that I have shared the stage with, but the past year of playing guitar instead has blossomed into something more special than I could ever put down in words.   I guess I'm a well kept secret.  The ones who know me at Rumor's as the guest drummer playing on a few songs and helping support Terry McDowell and his Sunday Jam were surprised on how I can sing and play guitar on other songs.   Of course Julie knows about me and my eccentric song list when we duet together. And of course the Checker's Crowd and the folks at Whittier and Waubeek but I have been branching out a bit more toward the alternative music scene.  The Artisan Sanctuary open mic nights, the Long Branch acoustic showcase as well, but since they're not paying gigs, I have to pick and choose the nights to do this.  Exposure is nice and I'll be happy to do it whenever I can.

I haven't been able to do much jamming due to us being busy at work and time off is rare. But I did promise Jim Jacobmeyer that I would show up for the Wednesday Night Jam on the second night of Maury Baker being in town.  Maury Baker played drums for Janis Joplin's Full Tilt Boogie Band and he's the main drummer on I Got Dem Kosmic Blues Again Mama from Janis.  He also figured into recordings from Frank Zappa and Jimi Hendrix.

In theory, tonight I jammed with two artists who made albums nationally.  The other was Craig Erickson.  But for the most part, about 40 people showed up to either watched or take part in the jam session at the Famous Mockingbird Lounge, which used to be Campbell Steele Gallery before the owners sold and moved back to Omaha.   I have never set foot in the old Campbell Steele and it does have its own kind of aura and mystic vibes in itself.  For the most part tonight's show was Craig Erickson and Billy Satterfield trading epic guitar licks on the Hendrix songs All Along The Watchtower and Little Wing, plus Craig's version of Shaky Ground.   Steph Murphy led things off with three Janis Joplin numbers, I would borrow her bass player for my set.

(Craig with Maury Baker)

Craig Erickson is one of the more epic guitar slingers in town.  The man runs circles over my playing any day.  I known him for many years but never close enough to discuss music issues, he did sold me my first four track recorder back in 1989, so he played a role in the sound of the Townedgers. Sometimes I get tongue tied when I see him but he's approachable. Unlike me.

But the with guitar showdown between Craig and Billy, I was beginning to wonder if I should have gone to Checker's to say hi to the gang Jim's girlfiend Marijane told me to hang tight.  And yes I was beginning to get nervous too.  After all these were some heavy hitters and Janis's drummer on stage and I was the outsider.  So the only thing I could think of was just to do the songs I could remember the lyrics.  Jim gave me the option to play solo or with help, I chose the latter.  I wanted musicians to extend the songs a bit.  Joe from Steph's band offereed to play bass.  And I knew Phil would be there to help me.  And he did.  I didn't give Freddy much songs to play harmonica solos with, he passed on For What It's Worth since it was in E, so that give Phil  more time to play a lead.  He's very good with lead licks.  Fred did extend himself on Let's Work Together.  Eventually I'll figure out how the wear my guitar strap the right way.  Craig and Joe have theirs on right. Note the strange look on Joe's face on my guitar strap on the hard way :P 

(Phil Bo and Joe)

All three songs I did ended up being about 15 minutes long.  For the final number Spoonful, I was amazed to find Craig deciding to join in on the fun and added some of his famed guitar playing in the process.  Just like last week when Doug Spinler joined me at Checker's, I was grinning from ear to ear and having a great time of this.  It really doesn't get any better than this.

But in the end, this was Maury's jam and he was a professional and great guy.  There's talk that he will return back to Marion to do this all over again.  To which I'll be happy to help out if need to be.

Notes:  John Hall was the other bass player, who played a six string bass and works with Craig and Rob Haskill in Erickson's band.

After my appearance, Craig and Billy (with John Hall on bass) ended things with two rousing versions of You can't always get what you want and Gimme Shelter before the whole show ended after 9 30.  After which we all managed to get a group photo together.  Jim Jacobmeyer took the photo.

(L to R: Patrick Lower, Stephanie Reynolds, Craig Erickson, R.Smith, Maury Baker, John Hall, Billy Satterfield, Adam Springer, Phil Koening, Joe Hilgendorf)